The long wait for starving hockey fans, translated well for MSG Network. Saturday’s opening night for the Rangers was the fourth highest rated regular season game on MSG. It captured the top numbers for a Blueshirts regular season game since 1995.

The Rangers/Bruins matchup garnered a 2.88 household rating, the best figures on the network since a game against the Hartford Whalers on April 20, 1995.

Additionally, this was the second highest Rangers opener on MSG. Ironically, it was the shortened 1995 season  that had the most viewers.

On MSG+, the Devils/Islanders had a less impressive (1.00 household rating), but equally historic. It ranks as the all-time number two most watched Isles regular season game on record, dating back to 1991-92 when MSG+ started tracking household figures.

The only Islanders non-playoff game with better ratings on MSG took place in 2002 against the Rangers.